'Just one save! I'm proud of that' - defensive desire delights Vicario
Tue 02 January 2024, 15:00|
Tottenham Hotspur
Guglielmo Vicario was buoyed by the spirited display of his defensive line as we stormed to a 3-1 win over AFC Bournemouth on New Year's Eve.
Having suffered a 4-2 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion three days earlier - going down 4-0 in that match - we bounced back to winning ways in our final outing of 2023, overcoming one of the division's form sides, with a performance that showed impeccable character and heart.
Bournemouth came into the game having won six of their last seven, only dropping points against high-flying Aston Villa, who they earned a 2-2 draw against - and they had scored at least two goals in each of those outings.
Yet, when they came to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, they were starved of clear-cut opportunities as we put out bodies on the line to thwart their advances. Down the other end, crucially, we were clinical, opening the scoring early on through Pape Matar Sarr - who has recently signed a new deal with Club - before Heung-Min Son and Richarlison both netted late in the second half to see us back to winning ways.
And our number 13, Guglielmo, who has enjoyed a sublime start to life between the sticks for us, including a stellar display in that defeat at Brighton, needed to make just one key save in the match - something which to him showed just how hard the team worked for the three points.
Our football wasn’t at the top as we showed in other games, but I think with courage, staying together and having the desire to win this game, we did it.
"I think it’s a very big win because we faced a very tough team, a very, very strong side," Guglielmo reflected. "We had to have a strong mentality. Our football wasn’t at the top as we showed in other games, but I think with courage, staying together and having the desire to win this game, we did it.
"Everyone did their best in every tackle, every defensive player was outstanding, Ben (Davies), Pedro (Porro), Emi (Emerson Royal), (Eric) Dier, who came in, Destiny (Udogie). They all made it easier for me, just one save, so I’m proud of that and maybe in the last match we missed this desire and mentality to concede nothing, today we showed we have this quality and now we have to keep going in this way.
"It was an important night - the best way to end 2023. We are proud. Now a quick rest and then we go again for the FA Cup."
We are next in action on Friday night as we host Burnley in the third round of the FA Cup (kick-off 8pm UK).
